Rusty the dog reviews Rustie's album, 'Green Language'

Rustie's latest album, Green Language, is, as expected, an amalgamation of sound. Never forgiving, it's a wild world through hip-hop and techno stylings. He's created an 8-bit video-game world from bouncing, strobing and glitchy synths alongside tempos that spiral out of control. At time it's beautiful, at times it's anarchic but it's always interesting and boundary-pushing. To review the album we pulled in a canine fan of Rustie, also conveniently named Rusty and let him react to the plethora of weird and wonderful sounds that Green Language has to offer.

1. Workship

This sprawling, atmospheric beginning is barely enough to pique Rusty’s interests, but the ears are ready and he seems to feel the impending doom that is to come.

2. A Glimpse

This is the first time on the album we get a hard delivery of bass. That coupled with twinkling synths and big cannons of sound have Rusty up and ready to hear what the Scottish producer will deliver next.

3. Raptor

That next song is Raptor, the first single which offers up manic, strobing synths and a beat that shoots straight to the chest. Just like Rustie has become known for, this track is an onslaught of sound, borrowing trap-influences for a little variation. Rusty’s bored demeanour show that he too feels that Rustie has given us a bit of the same here.

4. Paradise Stone

Now we’re talking. Those tropical synths have Rusty feeling playful. He’s been able to recline, pop the ear up and relax taking in this warm, mellow instrumental.

5. Up Down [ft. D Double E]

This is the first time we get to hear vocals on the album and Rusty is obliging with the direction nodding his head up and down. As a hip-hop track, it’s flavoursome, dense and rhythmic while it also works well as dance track, if you have two feet firmly planted and the knees bent.

6. Attak [ft. Danny Brown]

[soundcloud width="750" height="200"]https://soundcloud.com/rustie/attak-feat-danny-brown[/soundcloud]

As soon as that opening alarm sounds Rusty is ready to go hard. He’s off the chair for the first time and running around the room like Danny Brown in the video. It’s the most anarchic moment of the album with Brown barely pausing for a breath and as such, it’s impossible not to notice. A perfect centrepiece for an album by a producer who’s never been soft.

7. Tempest

Once again Rustie follows-up a pacing track with a slower, dazzler. After the heart-raiser that was Attak, Rusty is more than happy to return to his throne and gaze out the window. Surely the world is turning into a video-game for him inspired by the 8-bit feel of this track.

8. He Hate Me [ft. Gorgeous Children]

This is the most outright hip-hop moment on the album. A cascading beat is basically the only thing backing up Gorgeous Children, on the sparse, He Hate Me. Rusty seems to have developed a penchant for Rustie’s dance-heavy side and sees this track as an opportunity to sleep.

9. Velcro

The abrasive synths are back and Rusty is interrupted from his slumber. The song grows into gun-shot beats and perhaps, one of the grooviest bass-lines yet. Rusty cowers in his chair before realising this song is best digested standing up.

10. Lost [ft. Redinho]

Vocal manipulation pops up for the first time on Lost and it's a sound that barely registers for Rusty. Instead he gets lost in the leopard print throw he’s made his own. Nothing to see here.

11. Dream On

This track is built upon a hazy, dreamscape and future RnB vocals that bring the tempo right down for a rare moment. Rusty has decided to take a kip but his ears are twitching every so often. This one’s a sleeper, but it’s probably best listened to in a slight daydream. Melodically, it slides over you like velvet.

12. Let's Spiral

Probably realising we’re close to the end of the album, Rusty has decided to enjoy this one on his feet. The triumphant, strobing synths are joined by loud clashes and it’s got Rusty doing a spiral of his own.